In DEFENSE of FREE SPEECH

[khamy]

Right now I'm smoking a cracking Monte 2.

Just sayin'.

Let me hand you a bigger spoon mate lol

[Warren]

... I did not bring up communism this time.... Warren did!!! -LOL

Well someone had to.

[brazoseagle]

Can someone tell me about some reputable Cuban cigar vendors please............

[Smallclub]

Can someone tell me about some reputable Cuban cigar vendors please............

Ask in the chatbox

[PigFish]

Ask in the chatbox

... and you must post a picture of yourself in your underwear in your mothers basement!!!

[PigFish]

Well someone had to.

[Deodato]

Elsewhere on the internet, they say that Godwin's Law holds true: ""As an online discussion grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving Nazis or Hitler approaches 1."

Maybe Communism and Castro are our special FoH equivalents???

Or is it fish puns????

[mk05]

Montecrappie like you read about.

[Stalebread]

(snip)

The topics themselves and the responses to the topics represent a conversation. A conversation means two or more people are involved in communication. When one person, or the topic starter talks and can by rule, dictate the dialogue, it becomes a blog, or a lecture and not a forum.

(snip)

Cheers. -Piggy

But, Piggy, I love your lectures.

.

[Warren]

But, Piggy, I love your lectures.

.

Yes I often sit cross legged on the floor waiting for them, propeller cap firmly on head.

[PigFish]

But, Piggy, I love your lectures.

.

... as well you should!!!

Wait for it... I feel one coming...

.

..

...

I don't know... should I head to the computer, or the toilet??? Some would say about me, I am using the same orifice! -LOL

Would you have me any other way? (Don't answer that!)

-the Pig

[rfenst]

I will defend anyone's right to express their opinions. The speaker has the right to free speach and the listener has the right to hear the opinions expressed, if only to allow one to question the basis and validity of his or her belief.

If you have strong opinions about something start a thread on the subject. Do not highjack someone else's thread: stay on topic!

At best you will start a great thread. At worst you will find out nobody cares.

Get your own soapbox!

Respectfully,

Dan

This preemptive rule, in and of itself, is in opposite of your argument for free speech.

[chr0nic]

I will defend anyone's right to express their opinions. The speaker has the right to free speach and the listener has the right to hear the opinions expressed, if only to allow one to question the basis and validity of his or her belief.

If you have strong opinions about something start a thread on the subject. Do not highjack someone else's thread: stay on topic!

At best you will start a great thread. At worst you will find out nobody cares.

Get your own soapbox!

Respectfully,

Dan

This preemptive rule, in and of itself, is in opposite of your argument for free speech.

I'm glad someone else spotted the irony here...

[khomeinist]

Raise a fuss and the censors rush in.....

Looking for the nanny state? Look no farther than the community itself.

Humans. A funny lot....

[aes8]

I consider this forum lightly managed for the spectrum of discussion that takes place here.

You're kidding right?

[Smallclub]

You're kidding right?

You've noticed how lightly the "Cigar Collection" thread was closed?

[PigFish]

... my thread has fallen... and it can't get up!

[ramon_cojones]

[rfenst]

You've noticed how lightly the "Cigar Collection" thread was closed?

Yeah.

I sensed a grumbling of jealousy there and saw the makings of a dog-pile. I was going to post on the thread that I think it is wholly improper to be critical about the way or reason one collects and/or smokes or doesn't smoke their cigars. Perhaps some people gain much more individual satisfaction never smoking their cigars and just peeking at complete, undisturbed boxes? So what. That is no one else's' business. Ever think there is more than one way to enjoy a cigar?

As to the Ferrari or Lamborghini never-being-driven-and-just-sitting-in-the-garage-or-driveway-analogy: How is that the business of anyone but the owner?

[DrunkenMonkey]

Yeah.

I sensed a grumbling of jealousy there and saw the makings of a dog-pile. I was going to post on the thread that I think it is wholly improper to be critical about the way or reason one collects and/or smokes or doesn't smoke their cigars. Perhaps some people gain much more individual satisfaction never smoking their cigars and just peeking at complete, undisturbed boxes? So what. That is no one else's' business. Ever think there is more than one way to enjoy a cigar?

As to the Ferrari or Lamborghini never-being-driven-and-just-sitting-in-the-garage-or-driveway-analogy: How is that the business of anyone but the owner?

Do you really think its a good idea to start that discussion up again?

[aes8]

Do you really think its a good idea to start that discussion up again?

Isn't this a Free Speech thread?

[khomeinist]

Jealousy. Lol....

Reading comprehension. Lost art.

[El Presidente]

Each and every man/woman is entitled to their beliefs. That is different to expressing them wherever and however they feel.

I don't go to mixed dinner party, put my feet on the coffee table, and espouse my thoughts as dictum knowing full well that it will make life difficult for the hosts by upsetting the held beliefs of other guests. If the host tells me to "pull my head in" it is not "censorship" but rather a lack of courtesy on my behalf.

I am no prude and what I will discuss on the deck is not what I will discuss in the company of women. There are exceptions where I know those women well and they know me. Simple courtesy.

I know there are many members here doing it tough. I am careful to post in such a manner that does not entail hubris or excess. Simple respect..

I know we have some very religious members. I have spent time with many of them. I will not post in a manner that attacks or leads to attacks on their core beliefs. Simple respect.

The proper running of a forum (in my opinion) is framed around a set of principles for the benefit of the majority without taking away or targeting the rights/beliefs of the minority.

In some cases threads walk the "grey" area and it is a judgement call of the mods who rule on it based on the guiding principles of "friendship, laughter, fraternity, loyalty" no tossers no wankers.

The way I see it is that we don't have 5 mods but thousands who enforce the culture by thinking before they post. Few things disappoint me more than to seeing a mod having to step in. To put a mod (who are all good people) in such a position is degrading.

I note that some of the posters here on this thread are the most vociferous in PM'ing mods to remove this or that thread/post because it is offensive. On the one hand we are sought to be content police when it suits and then castigated when it doesn't suit.

The mods all wear big boy pants and are not shrinking violets. One and all they hate censorship but treasure respect and fraternity more.

[Smallclub]

Jealousy. Lol....

Reading comprehension. Lost art.

Unbelievable… I am speechless… I apologize for the "re-launch" of the thread, and actually it's a good thing it's closed.

[khomeinist]

Interesting. I have certainly never pm'd anyone to complain about a thread. Unfortunate that others would do that.

Was there a loss of respect in that thread? Seems to me that it was a spirited discussion touching on many aspects of cigar culture. I get it that it was in the grey area but wouldn't some light editing be preferable to shutting down all communication?

No disrespect. I just feel that people can choose to ignore members or perspectives that they disagree with or do not comprehend.

Cheers everyone. For me, it ain't that serious. Off to smoke a PL Robusto and check my serial numbers....